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Shovels and Rope have quickly garnered attention for their classic country sound, and their latest record Swimmin’ Time will likely continue to build their quickly growing fan base. The Charleston, South Carolina-based husband and wife duo of Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst go together like salt and pepper when it comes to their soulful harmonies, and Swimmin’ Time boasts some of their strongest vocals yet
“Fish Assassin” and “The Devil is All Around” are perhaps the most vocally powerful, and they show off Hearst’s sexy rasp, particularly when she hits those high notes. She can really belt, and with Trent backing her up, her voice is elevated and strong, full-bodied and rich. Trent does a good job of letting his ladylove’s voice shine on these songs and many others. “The Devil is All Around” in particular is one of the best tunes on the record, with just the right amount of country twang, bluesy folk and soul. It’s like a hearty plate of comfort food, filling and totally satisfying.
The chemistry these two share can’t be faked and it shines brightest on “Pinned”, a pitch perfect duet that finds both of their voices embracing their imperfections with little bits of rasp and the occasional crack, making them all the more beautiful. This is a great example of the way they play off each other, and it has just the right amount of folk flavor; hokey in the best way. It could even pass for an old timey cover of a classic country folk song.
Swimmin’ Time frequently veers into dark territory, with ominous sounding melodies that make way for intense, powerhouse vocal harmonies. “Stono River Blues” is one of these darker tunes, gritty and tough with a driving, steady beat. On a record that’s this well rounded vocally and instrumentally, it’s hard to find a single note that misses the mark. A particular standout is “Mary Ann & One Eyed Man”, a quirky, offbeat love story that’s somehow aspirational despite the oddball characters it describes. This is one of the lighter tunes on the record, another fantastic duet that really shows off the ways in which Hearst and Trent complement each other so well.
“Save the World” is another of the sweeter songs on Time, and when it comes, we’re so grateful for it. It’s a basic acoustic folk song, and it both inspires and uplifts. The guitar is delightfully and thoughtfully plucked, and the harmonies are so in synch. “Save the World” is the best example of just how charming this duo can be. Their rootsy sound is never too barebones, but rather elevated and never overproduced.
Shovels and Rope stand out from the recent popularized and watered down folk scene for so many reasons, but the main thing is their pure authenticity. They play to their strengths and stay true to who they’ve always been. Though it definitely won’t be long till they’re scooped up by the masses and selling tons of records, there’s no doubt that these two will continue to do what they do best: be themselves.
